<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Chattem,
Inc.'s unaudited financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,532
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,764
<ALLOWANCES>                                       775
<INVENTORY>                                     19,366
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                64,661
<PP&E>                                          31,859
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,051
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 371,792
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           54,365
<BONDS>                                        292,358
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,098
<OTHER-SE>                                      17,463
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   371,792
<SALES>                                        161,066
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               161,066
<CGS>                                           44,917
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  128,653
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,232
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,080
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,011
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,069
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,859) 
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,210
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.28